Apricot's 2025 NBA Draft Tournament Group D: Tamar Bates, Arthur Kaluma, Kobe Sanders, Micah Peavy, Alijah Martin

More pre-draft workout invitees to vote on

The index piece for Apricot’s 2025 NBA Draft Tournament is here. It describes the selection process, our stellar history of voting, why BPM is important, how Apricot’s Clunky Comps works, and all other gory details.

Intro: The Draft Tournament is to help you enjoy the draft

The tournament is designed for people who are not draft experts to catch up at a casual pace on prospects in the Warriors range. For this reason, I have sliced it up into a series of smaller votes instead of a massive 16+ player scouting report. These will be spaced out over the next few weeks until the NBA Draft.

The ultimate goal is for you to develop opinions and attachments about the different prospects, so you can

• argue with others,

• dream about the future,

• enjoy the draft with more suspense and emotional investment,

• be angry that your favorite wasn’t selected,

• and then in the future tell everyone how you had it right and the drafters were a bunch of idiots.

Despite our stellar track record, it’s unlikely we’ll guess exactly whom the Warriors will draft.

So it’s time for more! The Warriors have MIA’s second round pick at #41. Normally, you might say, why bother even thinking about this pick, because, in that range, the chances that the draftee will make an NBA roster is quite small.

However, the Warriors have really set the bar high, with

• 2024 #52 pick Quinten Post (feisty stretch 5 and stroopwafel enthusiast),

• 2023 #57 draft pick Trayce Jackson-Davis (solid big man and occasional starter) and

• 2022 #55 pick Gui Santos (energy guy and very occasional spot starter).

And yes yes everyone always wants to trade the pick for someone ready to contribute. Please don’t be obvious and boring and suggest that.

That’s like going to Disneyland and explaining that everyone there is exploited labor and that feline leukemia is the #1 killer of cats.

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Group D

Tamar Bates, Missouri, 6-5, #123 BPM

• BR 2025-05-28 #56, ESPN Givony 5-30 #68, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #72

NBA.com

Overview
Tamar Bates is from Kansas City, Kansas and began his collegiate career at Indiana in 2021-22. He started his first game as a sophomore, making five starts in 35 appearances that season. He then transferred to Missouri. As a junior, Bates started most of his games (25 of 32) and averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He started all 34 appearances as a senior, averaging 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.9 minutes. He was also SEC Player of the Week in December of 2024 and was voted to the NABC Central District Second Team for 2025.

Analysis
Bates is an efficient scorer, shooting 51/40/95 as a senior with similar numbers as a junior. He’s primarily a play finisher rather than a setup man. He can hit the 3, but it’s also advantageous when he draws contact near the rim since he’s an elite free-throw shooter. Given his height, he’s also solid on the offensive glass. There’s defensive upside as well with a relatively high steal rate.

Projection
Bates projects as a complementary wing player at the NBA level and is projected as a second-round draft pick. He could draw comparisons to players like Norman Powell and Isaiah Joe. Many teams are looking for a knockdown 3-point shooter who can play defense. Bates may have to begin as a bench player, but he could scale into a starter.

Ersin Demar:

Bates is one of the best touch-based shooters in college basketball. As a fourth-year senior, he continuously adapted and found a niche to impact games at Indiana, where he spent the first two years of his career. Hereafter, Bates moved to the SEC, committing to Coach Gates and the Missouri Tigers, with whom he had a breakout season, scoring over thirteen points per game while leading the conference in free-throw percentage in back-to-back seasons.

Shooting is the most-wanted skill in the NBA. But shooting enough won’t warrant a roster spot. Bates’ game evolved throughout the years, where he fits into a floor-spacing complementary guard. After a stellar performance at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and the G League Elite Camp, the buzz continues as Bates earned himself a spot at the NBA Draft Combine. The feasibility of his carving out a role and what his niche skill is forms the emphasis of this scouting report.

Apricot: Bates shot a scorching 39.7% 3P and 94.6% FT last year, and in case you thought that was a fluke, his career shooting numbers are 39.2% on 222 3PA and 93.6% on 187 FTAs. He is a bonafide marksman. He also had a very good Steal rate, so he’s active on defense. Overall, BPM found him eh on defense (+1.3 DBPM).

Clunky Comps didn’t find many comps (I usually set the cutoff at 0.80 similarity). It’s a bit reminiscent of the case of Sion James. The incomparable nature may have to do with Bates’s low Usage rate and low 3PA per 100 possessions paired with his absurdly good shooting percentages.

Some interesting names appear if you allow less simliarity though, and amusingly also include Chaz Lanier (2024) and Caleb Grill, two of the deadliest shooters in the NCAA who are prospects in this 2025 draft.

Arthur Kaluma, Texas, 6-7, #150 BPM

NBADraft.net:

NBA Comparison: Harrison Ingram

Strengths: Adept at driving to the basket and punishing defenders around the rim … Kaluma’s 7-foot wingspan is appealing to scouts, allowing him to be versatile on both sides of the ball. … His athleticism is impressive and contributes to his game, allowing him to get to the rim … Crashes the glass every time the ball goes up … A large majority of Kaluma’s points come around the rim, as he takes approximately 63% of his shots near the basket, which compared to other players is extremely high … He has a quick first step off the catch and has a good frame for a combo forward … He often forces contact and gets fouled around the rim, getting to the line 4 times a game … He is a 74% free throw shooter, and ranks 15th in the Big 12 … Knocking down shots from the line is not a problem for him … Brings energy defensively and does anything to get a stop for his team, whether that is diving on the ground or getting a deflection … Coaches can always rely on him to come into the game and bring energy, pick his teammates up … Uses his strong 225 pound frame to his advantage … Defensive versatility is his trade mark … He can guard multiple positions and has good size and athleticism. and shows some ball hawking ability … Arguably, his stand out attribute of his game is rebounding … He averages 8 boards a game and nearly 2 offensive rebounds per game … When the ball goes up in the air, he is the first to ensure he will come down with the ball . He crashes the glass whenever he is in the game and constantly looks to push the ball up the floor off defensive rebounds, which can result in easy transition points … His athleticism, versatility, and energy are three traits on the defensive end that have helped him make his name known around college basketball … Has steadily improved his shooting ability from the perimeter …

Weaknesses: Despite his age, (22) still does not possess a high skill level offensively … He could be a better shooter. Although he is shooting better from from three this year, he still has to prove it on a higher volume … He has struggled behind the arc for much of his college career … He does not have much of a mid-range game and would much rather get to the rim … His shot release is relatively slow, allowing defenders to collapse on him quickly … Many of his three-point attempts are contented as he struggles to get off wide-open threes …. He also does not often create opportunities for his teammates to score … His inability to make plays for his teammates is a concern … Kaluma can be exploited in pick and roll defense …. He also struggles to guard on the perimeter … Evidently, he struggled to guard quick, shifty players this season … After. A significant knee injury a couple of seasons back; which could potentially be a hurdle on the defensive side of the ball … Scouts will continually look at his defense throughout the season hoping it improves …

-Matthew Blutig 12/15/24

SI.com

…

With that in mind he’s a good athlete with a ton of offensive upside. He’s polished on that end of the floor and would slot nicely on a team that’s ready to compete. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be a good prospect on a rebuilding team, but Kaluma projects to be a player that can impact the game from day one. He's strong and smooth with an NBA-ready frame.

On the defensive end, he’s still got a lot of work to do. In fact, that’s probably the one thing outside of his age that’s holding him back from being a lottery pick. He’s had problems defending perimeter oriented players, especially in the pick-and-roll. His feet do move well on that end of the floor and he's shown flashes of being a productive defender, but it hasn't been consistently enough.

Additionally, Kaluma has improved his jump shot but still has a long way to go. His base when shooting from beyond the arc is a bit unorthodox, with his right foot being well in front of his left which causes his body to turn away from being square with the basket. His shot release is also too slow, which is why he doesn't get many wide open triples. Between the jumper and defense, there’s quite a bit of variability in where he could be selected this summer.

…

Apricot: BPM likes Arthur for his solid ratings across the board on offense and defense. His defensive rebounding rate was a standout measure, He shot 36% on 3P on low volume. Looking at his last 3 years, the 33.6% 3P and 76.3% FT don’t signal promise that his jump shot is above average. His comps are not that similar either, but I couldn’t help showing our own Looney made the list.

Kobe Sanders, Nevada, 6-9, #166 BPM

• BR 2025-05-28 #46, ESPN Givony 5-30 #55, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #53

NBADraft.net

NBA Comparison: Kenrich Williams / Trentyn Flowers

Strengths: Sanders is a skilled, cerebral combo forward who excels in the halfcourt with a smooth pull-up game and strong decision-making … Measured 6’7” barefoot with a 6’8.25” wingspan and 8’7” standing reach at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine … His 36.0” max vertical is solid, though he doesn’t play above the rim … Sanders is a capable three-level scorer who thrives off the dribble, particularly in pick-and-roll and isolation settings … He has a fluid shooting stroke that extends to NBA range, hitting 34.2% from three and 79.5% from the line in 2024–25 … His ability to create space using contact and footwork stands out, compensating for average burst … Averaged 4.5 assists per game and facilitated for teammates in the role of point forward, with his passing making him intriguing in a “Slo-Mo” Kyle Anderson-type role … He protects the ball well, limiting turnovers and making smart decisions … Sanders is poised and composed, rarely rushed, and plays with a veteran’s feel for the game …

Weaknesses: Sanders lacks elite athleticism and length, with a near-even wingspan to height ratio, which limits his defensive versatility and rebounding impact … His lateral quickness is average, making it challenging to stay in front of quicker guards … In transition, he is just average, lacking the speed to consistently beat defenders down the court … Defensively, he can struggle against more athletic opponents due to his lack of explosiveness and length … His rebounding numbers are modest for his size, partly due to his physical limitations … While his shooting is solid, he is not considered an elite marksman, and his release can be slightly slow, allowing defenders to contest effectively …

Outlook: Sanders is a late bloomer who spent four years at Cal Poly before transferring to Nevada for his fifth year, thanks to a COVID eligibility extension … At Nevada, he averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, showcasing his ability to lead an offense and create for others … His experience and maturity are evident in his play, and he could be a valuable addition to a team looking for a steady, intelligent forward off the bench … While his athletic limitations may cap his ceiling, his skill set and basketball IQ make him a potential second-round pick or undrafted free agent who can contribute in the right system …

Aran Smith 5/19/25

NBA.com

Overview

2024-25 All-Mountain West Third Team honoree in his one season at Nevada.

In 2024-25, ranked seventh in the Mountain West in scoring (15.9 ppg) and fifth in assists (4.5 apg).

In a three-game span Feb. 22-28, 2025, scored 30 points vs. Boise State, 27 against Wyoming and 30 at UNLV.

2023-24 All-Big West Honorable Mention Team selection in his fourth and final season at Cal Poly.

Finished third in the Big West in scoring (19.6 ppg) and led the league in free throws made (174) in 2023-24.

Apricot: BPM likes his good TS% on very heavy Usage, along with a whopping 29.9% AST rate, low TOV numbers (and thus an excellent 2.4 AST/TOV). Kobe for his last 3 years, 33.8% on 228 3PA and 83.5% FT on 364 FT. That FT% gives hope that his shot can develop into something consistent. His DBPM is +1.0 which is not impressive.

Clunky Comps finds a number of tall wings who ended up having decent jumpers. Not yet a 3-and-D wing, but has the potential. NBADraft.net compared him to Kyle Anderson, and lo and behold, Slo-mo is high up in the comps.

Micah Peavy, Georgetown, 6-8, #226 BPM

• BR 2025-05-28 #58, ESPN Givony 5-30 #57, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #46

NBA.com:

Overview
Peavy is a 6-foot-8, 220-pound guard/forward from Cibolo, Texas, who played his graduate season at Georgetown University after previous stints at Texas Tech and TCU. In 2024-25, Peavy averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field and an impressive 40% from three-point range on 4.1 attempts per game. His standout performance earned him First-Team All-Big East honors.

Analysis
Peavy is a versatile, athletic wing known for his defense and improved offensive game. Defensively, he excels with his length and anticipation, averaging 2.3 steals per game in his final season. Offensively, Peavy made significant strides, particularly in his perimeter shooting. After shooting 31.0% from three-point range in the 2023-24 season at TCU, he improved to 40% at Georgetown, demonstrating enhanced confidence and mechanics.

Projection
Peavy projects as a 3-and-D wing at the NBA level, capable of contributing off the bench with his defensive versatility and improved shooting. Some NBA playstyle comparisons for Peavy are Justin Jackson, Jaden McDaniels and Christian Braun – versatile wings recognized for their defense and spot-up shooting upside. Currently, Peavy is projected as a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Apricot:

BPM likes his defense and good AST rate and very high STL rate. His shooting efficiency was not all that great. Micah did shoot 40% 3P this year, but his 3-year rate is 36.4% on 217 3PA and his FT% is a scary 63.4%. I’d need to see more on his shot to trust it translating to the NBA.

And I don’t know what’s up with Clunky Comps, but she’s acting a little crazy. Comparing Peavy to Paolo Banchero with high similarity seems excessive (and then also RJ Barrett and Josh Jackson, two Top 4 picks) as well as useful Landry Fields.

Diving into the Banchero comparison, Paolo is taller, considerably better on offense and rebounding. Peavy passes a little better, takes care of the ball better, fouls less, and gets way more steals. I can’t explain why Clunky thinks they are so similar (maybe it’s a bug) but she’s convinced they are more alike than other players in the last 15 years.

Alijah Martin, Florida, 6-2, #52 BPM

• ESPN Givony 5-30 #61, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #39, Yahoo O'Connor 5-30 #49

• Yahoo O'Connor 6-13: Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding, and defensive grit. His positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability complicate his ability to carve out a specialized role. But his positive traits are exactly what the Cavaliers were missing in their series loss against the Pacers.

NBA.com:

Overview
Alijah Martin played five years of college basketball. He spent the first four years of college with Florida Atlantic and was a regular starter in his final three seasons with the Owls. He averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a senior in 2023-24 with FAU, but instead of making the jump to the pro ranks, he took advantage of an extra year of college eligibility to join Florida. Martin started in all but two of his 38 appearances while playing a prominent role in the Gators’ 2024-25 National Championship campaign. Martin averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game in his lone year with Florida.

Analysis
Martin is known as a player who can make a significant impact across the board due to his athleticism, but he’s at his best when wreaking havoc on the defensive end. He’s a high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. He can make an impact with his shooting, but he needs to gain some consistency as a 3-point shooter to have a reliable weapon on offense, and his lack of size is also an issue. Martin stands at 6-foot-2, but he plays as a wing despite having the size of a point guard. Martin’s tweener status, streaky shooting and limited creation ability complicate his ability to carve out a specialized role. However, in a best-case scenario, he can be a disruptive defensive threat who can impact offensively with his long-range shooting.

Projection
Martin stands out due to his athleticism, energy and toughness, but he also lacks a consistent jumper and is likely to begin his career as a role player off the bench rather than a go-to option at the next level. A potential second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Martin has drawn comparisons to defensive-minded wings such as De’Anthony Melton and Herb Jones. — Profile by RotoWire.com

Apricot: Impressive that Bradley Beal (also from Florida!) is the second closest comparison that Clunky Comps found. Before Beal was a no-trade-clause joke, he was a stud in college and pre-injuries in the NBA. Malik Monk and Gary Harris are no joke either, as well as a scattering of other second round picks.

BPM is happy about Martin’s offense AND defense, steal rate, dunk rate, and volume of three point takes and makes. His shooting over the last 3 years is very good but not elite (35.5% 3P, 75.6% FT). The size is a little concerning, but he plays above the rim.

How To Vote

Simply vote in this embedded poll. If you are moved, you can make a COMMENT VOTE that counts as 10 votes. However, I will not count any vote unless it has

• some justification of your vote

• exactly one hashtag with the last name of your candidate, #BATES, #KALUMA, #SANDERS, #PEAVY, #MARTIN.

  • I know many of you are very creative, but any deviations from these instructions will make my life harder and annoy me.